Eagle Express
November 2, 2023
From the Nest...
Starting tomorrow and heading into next week, we will be hosting our second Town Hall with all grade levels. This round we are talking about an Unstuck and On Target strategy identifying Big Deals and Little Deals.
We are defining Big Deals as problems that are permanent, require a lot of people to solve, are dangerous, and/or difficult to solve. Examples of Big Deals are someone hurts you, you see someone with a weapon on the bus, or your pet dies.
Little Deals are defined as problems that are temporary, require just 1 or 2 people to solve, are annoying, and/or can be solved. Examples of Little Deals are you disagree with someone, you lose a game, someone cuts in line at lunch, or you don't like the activity you've been asked to complete.
In life it's important to identify what type of problem you are facing so that you appropriately respond to the problem. Most problems in school are Little Deals but we often see big reactions! While we will always validate that the child feels like the problem is a Big Deal, we will also work with them through questioning or statements like "This feels like a big deal, can you help me turn it into a little deal?" or "Let's be problem shrinkers and make this big deal into a little deal!" to help them come to the realization that the problem is actually a Little Deal.
The next time your child faces a problem at home, try having them identify whether it is a Big Deal or Little Deal!
As always, we thank you for your support and partnership.
Warm regards,
Hannah Feldman & Lisa Wrzesinski
Save the Date
November
11/8 - Q1 Report Cards Issued
11/9 - PTA Mtg.
11/10 - Make Up Picture Day
11/13 - 3rd Gr. (McCole & McKeever) ESSL Field Trip
11/14 - 3rd Gr. (Kane & Ganley) ESSL Field Trip
11/22-11/24 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
11/27 - 5th Gr. (Blankenship & Manley) ESSL Field Trip
11/28 - 5th Gr. (DeLany & Khan) ESSL Field Trip
December
12/1 - 2 Hr. Early Dismissal
12/1 - Q2 Mid-term
12/7 - Spirit Days begin - more info to come!
12/5 - Chorus Concert - 6:30 PM
12/25-12/29 - No School - Winter Break
Annual FCPS Survey
Last year we had 224 surveys completed! We are hoping for even more participation this year. We value your communication and feedback on what we are doing well and what we could do better, so please look for the email on Monday and complete the survey!
Considering Becoming an Educator?
Attend Become an Educator Night with FCPS tonight! This event is great for anyone who might be thinking about teaching as a profession. Information will be shared about MD Teacher Certification. Our state and local colleges and universities, as well as, the Teacher Academy of MD program will be there to share information about their programs as well. Opportunities to interview on the spot for eligible candidates will also be available.
Become an Educator: https://www.fcps.org/careers/become-an-educator
November 2, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Frederick High School
Federal Impact Aid Survey
If you haven't already please complete and return the Federal Impact Aid Survey to the school by tomorrow. As was stated in the FindOutFirst email sent by FCPS recently, the purpose of the survey is to collect information from families regarding military service and/or residence or employment on federal property. The Federal Impact Aid survey is administered every year but this year the survey is in paper form.
Why is it important to complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey?
Federal Impact Aid is a Federal education fund that reimburses school districts for lost revenue and additional costs associated with the presence of tax-exempt Federal property including military installations, Federal low-rent housing facilities, national laboratories, and other Federal buildings and lands, etc. Frederick County Public Schools may receive financial assistance from the Federal Government (under Public Law 81-874) based on the number of pupils whose parents/guardians are active in the military or whose parents live or work on federal property in Maryland.
If a parent/guardian is active in the military or lives/works on federal property and has multiple students in Frederick County Public Schools, a survey must be completed for each student.
Attendance Updates
As we mentioned in an earlier Eagle Express, our goal is 96% attendance or better. The calendar is color-coded for your ease of reference:
- 96% or higher = green
- 93.1% - 95.9% = yellow
- under 93% = red
We thank you for supporting us in meeting our attendance goals by ensuring students are coming to school on time and every day that they are able to!
Reminder - Dismissal Change Procedures
New this year, students must be picked up by 3:00 pm if you would like them through the front office. After that time, you will need to get into the Car Rider line to pick up your child. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring our dismissal process is as smooth as possible.
Schoology Updates & Tips
Reminder - you can find all your child's grades on Schoology. Here are 3 videos on how to check your student's grades in Schoology.
Schoology Ambassador: Heather Hyatt, heather.hyatt@fcps.org
Counselor's Corner
Community Resources and Support
Eviction Prevention: Rental and Energy Assistance
Food Distribution Web App: Frederick County GIS Food Distribution Public WebApp
If you are looking for immediate mental health support for yourself or a family member and aren’t sure where to begin, you can dial 211 to reach the Mental Health Association’s resource line. It is staffed 24/7 365 days a year and they do not charge for the service.
The Eagle’s Perch is up and soaring! Be sure to ask your students about their eagle bucks and what they might be saving for! If you are interested in helping to supply items for our store, please check out our Eagle Perch Wishlist
In need or school supplies, food, a bed or other assistance? We would love to help however we can. Please contact your counselor listed below.
Counselor Contact -
Konnar Pruett, konnar.pruett@fcps.org - Grades PK-2
Laura Hanlon, laura.hanlon@fcps.org - Grades 3-5
Community News
Spires Lacrosse Registration
Registration opens November 2023 through February 2, 2024.
For more information click here
Citizenship Services
The Asian American Center of Frederick is offering citizenship services, from help applying for citizenship, to taking citizenship & English classes.
For English, click here
For Spanish, click here
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
SHP is an all-volunteer 501(C)(3) non-profit that builds twin beds and delivers them, FREE of CHARGE, to families in Frederick Co Maryland whose elementary, middle and high school kids ages 4-17 are sleeping on the floor, a couch or with their parents/guardians or siblings. Beds include NEW EVERYTHING: frames, mattresses, blankets, sheets, and pillows. In the last 5 years, the SHP chapter has delivered 1430+ beds to 766+ families in Frederick Co.
See the fliers for more information.
Yellow Springs Elementary
Front Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Email: Hannah.feldman@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/yses
Location: 8717 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick, MD
Phone: 240-236-1700